Sheriff calls public meeting about budget cuts

Last week, King County Executive Ron Sims proposed a $4.9 billion overall budget for 2009. In that budget, he proposed $5.2 million in permanent cuts to the King County Sheriff’s Office.

“These cuts will threaten the quality of justice in King County and put the public at risk,” Sheriff Sue Rahr said in a statement. “We want to make sure the public has an opportunity to be heard.”

Rahr, King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg and two King County judges have scheduled a town meeting Monday in Shoreline to talk about the cuts.

Monday’s meeting is the first in a series of four town hall meetings planned in neighborhoods around King County. It is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Shoreline Conference Center at 18560 First Avenue Northeast.

The other three meetings are scheduled for Oct. 22 in Skyway, Oct. 29 in White Center and Nov. 3 in Seattle.